Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > Garden Pests > Caterpillars, maggots, grubs, and similar immature insects - 1/4 inch - 1/2 inch long > Squash vine borer

Squash vine borer

Melitta curcurbitae

Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

Description: Up to 1 inch long.

Where/When: Commonly attacks summer squash, winter squash and pumpkins. Cucumbers and melons are less frequently affected. The larva is active from mid-July through August.

Significance: Serious pest of vine crops. The larva feeds through the center of the stems, blocking the flow of water to the rest of the plant. Plants become wilted, may collapse, and ultimately die.

More information on Squash vine borer